Phono Pre-amp for Analog Newbie

You will not be disappointed with the choice of the Scoutmaster.
Cartridge : Dynavector 20X or 17D MKII
RCM : VPI 16.5 The Record Doctor is a great value at 200.00 (I used one for several years), but the 16.5 is much better.
Record cleaning fluids : Audio Intelligent two step, by AudiogoNer Paul Frumkin.
Brushes : Record Doctor, or the Music Direct clones.
Phono stage : depending on your budget, Aesthetix Rhea, Graham Slee, Lehmann Black Cube

I left out the very good Whest 20 from my recommendation above on a phono pre. That should be on your "short list" as well...

What is your budget on a phono pre? The Scoutmaster TT would be a good choice IMO. You could mate a nice ZYX R100 from Mehran (Sorosound) and have a great rig (assuming you are going with the package and doing the JMW 9 tonearm). A Grado Sonata would be another good cart too for that TT/Tonearm.

Now the part you may not want to hear; I would strongly recommend a two chennel preamp and a phono pre to bypass your HT. Again, depending on your budget maybe an ARC LS16 and PH3 (around $2500 for the pair). I think the LS16 has an HT "passthrough" so you could have dedicated two chennel and still play with surround all in the same system. Just my opinion but, I don't think you can realize the full potential of a good analog rig running it through an HT pre-amp.

Look for a VPI 16.5 to clean your records. I wouldn't worry about balanced connections, but don't forget phono cables (I have heard very good things about the new Cardas for around $300).

Chris

It's realy a case of what is your budget.

Usual recommendations for the Scout Master/Scout are the Dynavectors as mentioned by Slipknot1, the Sumiko Blackbird. Maybe the Lyra Dorian. The best cartridge I have used with my Scout is the Benz M0.9, but this hasn't been in production for several years.

As for phono stages - Trigon Vanguard II, Monolithic Sound, Rogue Audio Stealth all go well with the 20XH, as I have owned all three (and the 20XH)

For accessories, I would recommend the KAB Speedstrobe. Very easy to set the correct speed. I have the Wally Tractor and VTA guage coming, so I haven't tried those yet. I use the protractor from the Hi-fi news test record for now.

Get yourself a nice set of Imperial hex drivers, as they make adjusting the tonearm much easier. McMaster-Carr will have these.

Get a bubble level from Home Depot to level the turntable.

I have the Scout, not the Scoutmaster, but the key with the Scout is to isolate the motor vibration from the rest of the turntable. There are a few posts - possibly here, but for sure st the Audio Asylum on this topic.

That's all I can think of for now.

Hello Macdadtexas, I agree about the scout/scoutmaster, they are hard to beat at that price point. A couple other tables i would check out are the Nottingham Spacedeck, and Well Tempered Turntable[classic]. I have a WTT and love it, most cartridges are compatable, it sounds great, has superb imunity from vibrations, etc., and probably the quietest bearing design in the industry. As far as phono stages are concerned the above recomendations are worth checking out depending on your budget. I have a Audio Research PH3SE for sale/trade if interested. Dynavector, Benz,Shelter, Sumiko Celabration[often overlooked], Grado statement series,and Denon are what I would try to audition. Good luck. Thanks for listening, Alan